Page 109 of The One I Hate
I don’t even come back with a witty comment. Because Oliver’s right.
I’m in love. “So this is what it feels like to be you guys, huh?”
Wes laughs. “Welcome to the club. Oliver made jackets.”
“I hate to be the downer of the group,” Shane says. “But I need to rain on the parade for a second.”
I look over to Shane. “I don’t think it would be right if you didn’t.”
“You love her.”
“Yes.”
“She tolerates you.”
“So far.”
“She’s willing to have a child with you.”
“All things we’ve discussed.”
“Here’s one. Does she know you own her restaurant?”
Did you hear that? That was the sound of Shane Cunningham bursting my bubble.
“By his dumbfounded expression and look of sheer panic, I’m thinking no.”
“I said no more smart ass, Wes!” I stand up and start pacing. “She doesn’t. I think I forgot.”
“Well, you should probably change that.”
I shoot a look to Shane. “I know…I just don’t know how.”
“Easy. You say, ‘Charlie, before we were together, when you hated me, I bought this building.’”
“Sure, Shane. Easy peasy. Then I can just throw in the part about me making sure Emmett didn’t tell her I owned it, that giving her the apartment was a desperation move for her to take it, that I fixed all of the issues with Mona’s so she wouldn’t have to, including buying all new equipment, and that I haven’t cashed a rent check yet.”
Oliver’s eyes double in size. “Simon!”
“I know,” I hang my head. “It’s just…she hates charity. She hates feeling like she owes anyone. The only reason I got away with the new tables and booths is because I did it behind herback so when they showed up she had no choice but to go with it. Helps that she liked them.”
“Simon, you can’t start your relationship like this,” Wes says. “Believe me when I say, clear communication is a must.”
He’s right. They all are. I need to tell her.
“I know. And I will.”
“Promise?”
I shake Shane’s hand. “Promise.”
At that moment, I feel a text coming through and before I look I somehow know it’s from Charlie.
Charlie: I hate to ask this…
Simon: Ask away.
Charlie: Can you bring me ice cream? Strawberry. Oh! And fries from The Joint? I know there are some downstairs but I don’t want to cook another thing today.
